disappointed for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disappointed for" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to convey the feeling of disappointment on behalf of someone else or about a situation. Example: "I was disappointed for my sister when she didn't get the job she wanted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I'm disappointed for the boys and disappointed for the crowd but the better side won on the day.

BBC

I'm disappointed for him.

The New York Times

We're really disappointed for sure.

The New York Times

I am disappointed for the boy.

Independent

Rainfall has disappointed for three years.

The Economist

I am disappointed for Colombia.

The Guardian

"I'm really disappointed for Sam.

The Guardian - Sport

"He's not disappointed for himself.

The New York Times - Sports

We were disappointed for him.

The Guardian - Sport

He's disappointed for the team".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I'm less disappointed by him, and more disappointed for him.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "disappointed for" to express empathy or vicarious disappointment. For example, "I was disappointed for the team when they lost the championship game."

Common error

Avoid using "disappointed for" when you are actually expressing your own direct disappointment. Instead, use "I am disappointed" if the feeling is personal and not on behalf of someone else.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disappointed for" functions as an adjectival phrase expressing empathy or vicarious disappointment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates a feeling of sadness or regret experienced on behalf of someone else or due to their circumstances. Examples show its use in news and personal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "disappointed for" serves as a nuanced way to express empathy, differing from personal disappointment by focusing on the feelings experienced on behalf of someone else. As Ludwig AI highlights, the expression is considered grammatically correct and widely accepted. It commonly appears in news and media, and while generally neutral in register, its correct usage is critical to accurately convey the intended sentiment. To ensure proper usage, remember that this phrase is best used to show support for someone else's letdown, not to describe your own feelings. Keep in mind that several alternatives, such as "sad for" or "sorry for", exist to express a similar sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disappointed on behalf of

More formal and explicitly indicates the disappointment is felt for someone else.

sad for

A simpler expression emphasizing sorrow rather than disappointment.

feel bad for

An informal way to express sympathy or regret for someone's situation.

sorry for

Conveys sympathy, often used when something unfortunate happens to someone.

empathize with

Focuses on understanding and sharing the feelings of another.

dejected for

Expresses a state of low spirits felt because of someone else's misfortune.

downcast for

Suggests a subdued mood due to another's disappointment.

pity for

Implies a sense of compassion and perhaps a slight feeling of superiority.

crestfallen for

Highlights a sense of dejection or discouragement on behalf of another person.

chagrined for

Indicates feeling vexed or humiliated on behalf of someone, a less common usage.

FAQs

How can I appropriately use "disappointed for" in a sentence?

Use "disappointed for" to convey that you feel disappointment on behalf of someone else or a group. For example, "I'm "disappointed for" my friend who didn't get the job."

What's a more formal way to say "disappointed for"?

A more formal alternative is "disappointed on behalf of". For example, "The company is "disappointed for" its employees due to the recent financial losses."

Is it correct to say "I am disappointed of" instead of "I am disappointed for"?

No, "disappointed of" is grammatically incorrect. The correct preposition to use is "for". "I am "disappointed for"" expresses empathy or vicarious disappointment.

What are some situations where using "disappointed for" would be fitting?

It's appropriate when a close one experiences a setback, or something goes wrong with a team or a cause you support. Examples include a friend missing a promotion, or your favourite sports team losing a match; in both these situations you can express that you are "disappointed for" them.